Chapter 24: Lucky

It was a Monday

When my lover told me

Never pay the reaper with

Love only

What can I say to you?

Except I love you

And I'd give my life for yours

I know we are

We are the lucky ones

I know we are

We are the lucky ones

I know we are

We are the lucky ones

Dear

Lucky – Bif Naked

The 18th of January arrived. The day of the Turks concert. And Yuffie, being the fashion queen that she was, had spent all day trying to decide what to wear. She fell onto Aeris' bed and sighed.

"I don't know what to wear!"

"Yuffie, we've been through your entire wardrobe-" Aeris started.

"Twice!" Tifa interjected.

"And you still haven't decided what to wear. Will you just take our advice and wear the halter-top and black jeans?"

"Are you sure?"

"YES!" Aeris and Tifa yelled. Yuffie considered and then smiled sweetly.

"OK. I'll go for that then."

"Thank god that's over." Tifa moaned. Aeris smiled and asked,

"What are you wearing, Tifa?"

"Black skirt and red shirt." She said simply. Aeris nodded and then went to her own wardrobe. She considered for a moment and then took out a dark blue skirt and white shirt. Yuffie sat upright.

"It took you two seconds to decide?"

"Yes. We're not as fussy as you." Aeris said, putting the clothes on the bed. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Tifa called. Reeve and Cloud came in and stared at the clothes strewn room.

"Explosion at the mall?" Reeve asked. Yuffie glared at him.

"I was trying to decide what to wear to the concert actually."

"I don't recommend this." Reeve said, holding up a bathing costume. Yuffie stood, red faced.

"Reeve, give that back!" She seized it from him and then looked at him shrewdly. "Are you saying I wouldn't look good in a bathing costume?"

Reeve realised his mistake.

"No! I just meant that it wouldn't be right for the concert."

"Because I look damn good in a bathing costume!" Yuffie said, advancing on him. Reeve nodded quickly.

"I wasn't implying that you didn't!"

"Reeve, you have a lot to learn about women." Cloud said. Tifa gave him a look.

"And you know so much?"

"Well…"

"How many women do you actually know?" Tifa demanded.

Aeris held back a smile.

"Well, I'm gonna go…" She said. None of them answered. They were too busy arguing.

Aeris went to the café and sat at the counter with her music book. Barret came over and started talking to her. She told him about the arguments and he laughed.

"That sounds like Tifa."

"I really pity Cloud and Reeve." Aeris said in sympathy. Barret went to serve another customer. Aeris started to scribble lyrics.

"Hello Aeris." She turned and saw Marlene. She was dressed in a smart business suit, her brown hair perfect and make-up carefully done.

"Hi Marlene!"

"Can I sit here?"

"Sure, sit down." Aeris said. Marlene sat on the stool and grinned.

"Looking forward to the concert?"

"Absolutely! I can't wait!"

"I was over with the Turks this morning. They're terrified."

"Why?"

"They always get nervous before a show." Marlene said, ordering a coffee. Aeris hadn't thought that professionals could get nervous. Marlene peered at the notebook.

"What's that?"

"My lyric's book. I've been having trouble on a new song so I've been trying to work on it."

"Can I have a look?"

She leafed through the book, stopping to read the occasional verse. Aeris watched nervously.

"This is good, Aeris." Marlene said.

"Thanks."

"No, I mean it. You haven't had writing classes or anything like that?"

"No. I've been playing instruments since I was three though. But I write my own lyrics."

"Impressive. Most of the people we sign on at the label have had some work done with other artists."

"Is it essential?" Aeris asked. Marlene shook her head.

"No. But in this business it helps. It's who you know, the connections that are going to get you places." Aeris nodded and Marlene handed her the lyrics book.

"But I think you've got a fighting chance. I can't say for sure until I've heard you."

"I only want to be a song writer though." Aeris said.

"Yes, but no one is going to pay you any attention unless you show you can do it." Marlene said. She looked at her watch.

"Oh, I've got to go. A meeting. But before I go…" She reached into her pocket and drew out six tickets.

"What are these?"

"After the concert, go to the stage door and show the guy there these tickets. It'll let you go backstage. I'll meet you there and show you around." Marlene said. Aeris couldn't believe it.

"Marlene, I think I just fell in love with you!"

"It's fine. If you can't use your position to let your sister and her friends enjoy themselves, what's it for? Later Aeris."

Aeris didn't feel like going back to room just yet, so she ordered two cups of coffee and went to Vincent's apartment. She rang the bell and waited. After a few minutes the door opened. Vincent's face appeared, looking irritable.

"Hi!" Aeris said. His face softened into a smile.

"Come in."

"I brought coffee." She said, handing him a cup. He drank some, clearly in need of caffeine.

"Are you OK?" Aeris asked. He nodded.

"Yes… I was painting. I think I lost track of time."

"Well, I am here to provide you with a break!" Aeris said decisively. Vincent looked at her expectantly. Aeris raised her eyebrows.

"What, am I supposed to think of everything?"

Vincent smiled. Aeris looked at the canvas. It was a picture of the fountain in the park. The sparkles of water which fell through the air were frozen. The grey marble of the fountain was glinting in the sunlight.

"What do you think?"

"It's amazing, as always. Don't you ever get tired of me saying that?" Aeris asked in amusement. Vincent said,

"Coming from you, it actually means something." He walked past her to the painting and examined it. Aeris watched him and then said,

"Marlene gave us all backstage passes for tonight."

"Really? Great." Vincent said, absentmindedly, dabbling in some paint. Aeris smiled. When he got into an artistic mood very little would get him out of it.

"I'll let you get on with it. Remember to eat something, OK?" She said. He nodded and she rolled her eyes.

"I'll see you later Vincent."

At 7 that evening, Aeris, Tifa, Cloud, Yuffie and Reeve headed over to Vincent's apartment.

"He'd better be ready." Yuffie said. Aeris smiled.

"He will be."

She knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's us."

"Come on in." She opened the door. Vincent was in the bedroom.

"Be there in just a minute." He said. Yuffie stared around the apartment.

"This place is amazing!"

"Very artistic, isn't it?" Reeve said. Vincent came out of the bedroom, his hair damp from the shower. He was wearing a red shirt and black trousers. Aeris smiled.

"Ready to go?"

"Of course." He said, taking her hand in his.

They had great seats. Right near the front, dead centre. They waited excitedly for it to start. The stadium, seating 10,000 people, was packed. Aeris was on the edge of her seat.

"What time is it now?"

"7:57." Cloud said, looking at his digital watch. "The concert starts at 8. You have three minutes."

"Urgh, I can't wait three minutes!" Tifa moaned.

"I can't believe we got backstage passes!" Yuffie said. "Maybe we'll get to meet the band!"

"I don't know about that, Yuffie." Reeve said. Yuffie glared at him.

"Shh! You're ruining the fantasy!"

"What time is it now?"

"7:58."

"Aw, crap."

But, finally, the lights dimmed. The audience started to talk even louder. The curtains pulled back and there they were! The four members of The Turks, dressed in their trademark blue suits. The drums started and they launched straight into Aeris' favourite song from the album. Everyone was on their feet, singing along and laughing.

Aeris was in heaven.

After a few songs, Elena, the main singer, took a microphone and waved to the crowd.

"Hey everyone! How are you all?"

Screams answered her. Elena laughed.

"It's great to be back here in our hometown! There's nowhere quite like Midgar, right?" Louder screams. Aeris felt her ears ringing.

"OK, in honour of our hometown, we're gonna sing you a new song! It's the first time it's been heard by the public, and we're looking for a reaction, OK? It's called 'Lucky'"

Elena started to play her guitar and leaned into the microphone.

"It was a Monday

When my lover told me

Never pay the reaper with

Love only

What can I say to you?

Except I love you

And I'd give my life for yours

I know we are

We are the lucky ones

I know we are

We are the lucky ones

I know we are

We are the lucky ones

Dear."

There was an awed hush over the audience. Aeris felt for Vincent's hand with her own. The song was amazing.

As it finished, everyone started applaud. Then there were cheers. Elena spoke into the mic.

"I hoped you guys liked it!"

Excessive amounts of screaming. Elena laughed and handed the microphone over to Reno, the keyboard player. He winked at the audience.

"How you guys doing? OK, since we're back in Midgar, we decided we'd have to play one song for our best friend. She was the one who got us the record deal, she was the one who let us play in her garage, she was the one who provided the endless supply of caffeine, without which we would not be here with you guys! And here she is. Marlene Wallace!"

Aeris and her friends all screamed as an embarrassed looking Marlene was pushed out onto the stage. Reno took her hand.

"Come on guys; give Marlene a round of applause!" Marlene went EXTREMELY red as the audience cheered her. Reno handed her the mic.

"Got anything you'd like to say, Mar?"

"Yeah! You owe ten gil from when we were in high school!" appreciative laughter. Marlene waved and hurried off stage.

"OK, Marlene. Here's a song for you." Reno said and signalled to Tseng who hit the drums. Elena took the mic and sang,

"Somebody once told me

The world is gonna roll me

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed

She was looking kinda dumb

With her finger and her thumb

In the shape of an L on her forehead."

All Star. Unanimously voted their best song. Aeris leaned across to Tifa and shouted above the song,

"Your sister is beyond cool!"

Tifa merely grinned and sang along to the song.

Two hours later, they made their way to the backstage door. They had to push past a crowd of people to reach the roped-off area. An enormous security guard looked down at them.

"Um… we've got these tickets." Aeris said nervously. The man examined the tickets closely and then opened the door. They could all feel the envious looks of the crowd. Marlene was waiting by the door for them.

"Hey guys. Enjoy the show?"

"Not as much as you did!" Tifa teased. Marlene blushed.

"I'm gonna kill those guys…"

"They did it out of love."

"No, they did it to embarrass me!" Marlene objected. Yuffie looked around.

"Um… where might they be right now? Just so we can tell them how mean that was… what they did to you…" She said in an incredibly unconvincing way. Marlene cocked an eyebrow.

"As it happens, they're in their lounge. It also happens I've told them about you and they're waiting to meet you."

Yuffie nearly passed out with joy.

"Hey guys. This is my baby sister and her friends." Marlene said, leading them into a luxurious room. But the room could have been paved with gold for all they cared. Because the Turks were sitting in comfy chairs around a table. Elena stood up.

"This is Tifa? Marlene, she looks just like you!"

"She's adopted." Marlene laughed. Elena hit her forehead.

"You told me that. Oh well. Who's the rest of them?"

"This is Tifa's boyfriend, Cloud. That's Yuffie and her boyfriend, Reeve. This is local artist, Vincent and this is his girlfriend, Aeris. She's the one I was telling you about."

Aeris went red.

"What have you been saying about me?" She demanded. Elena laughed and then turned on the other band members.

"Guys, come say hello!"

"Hello!" They all said, not moving. Elena threw a cushion at Rude.

"Lazy sods. Come in guys, make yourselves at home. Did you enjoy the show?"

Aeris had never met a friendlier group of people. Reno, Yuffie and Reeve were talking about the show. Vincent was talking to Tseng, the most reserved member of the Turks. They seemed to have hit it off quite well. Cloud and Rude were arm wrestling while Tifa refereed. Marlene sat with Elena and Aeris.

"Did you like 'Lucky'?"

"It was amazing! It's so different from the rest of your stuff." Aeris said. Elena nodded at Rude.

"He wrote that one. We all write songs and put them together. Marlene said you write songs."

"Um, yes. I want to write professionally."

"Are they any good?" Elena asked. Aeris was surprised at the straight-forwardness of the question.

"I don't know. I can't really judge my own songs. But I always try my hardest and I never give up on a song."

"Said like a true songwriter!" Reno called. Marlene rolled her eyes.

"Elena, how long are you staying here?"

"We've got a week here. We wanted a break. Not to mention some coffee from Barret's." She looked at Aeris, "You can't get coffee as good as Barret's anywhere else. Believe me, we've looked!"

"I don't go anywhere else." Aeris said proudly. Elena nodded and peered at her.

"You look REALLY familiar…"

"Do I?" Aeris asked, smiling slightly. Elena nodded.

"Where might I have seen you?"

"Um… actually, I've been in the papers a lot recently."

"The papers… of course! You're Aeris Gainsborough! The Gast's daughter!"

"Yeah." Aeris nodded. Elena looked over at Tseng.

"You were telling me about that, weren't you Tseng?"

Tseng and Vincent came to sit with them.

"Yes. That reporter wrote an accusing article about a cure for Grandia disease." Tseng said. Vincent took Aeris' hand protectively.

"It was all rubbish of course." Tseng said, surprisingly. Aeris smiled.

"Glad you think so too."

"Tseng has been a big fan of your parent's work for ages." Said Elena.

"My mother got Grandia Disease six years ago. Without that cure she would have died." Tseng explained. He looked at Aeris.

"Your parents didn't deserve to have that written about them."

"Thank you." Aeris said quietly. She looked up at Vincent and smiled. Elena said turned to Marlene.

"Mar, how's Rufus? I haven't seen him in ages."

"He was good the last time I checked."

"Rufus? As if in Rufus Shinra?" Aeris said, sitting up straight. Elena nodded.

"We did the music to a movie he was in a few years ago and we got pretty close."

"That is SO cool!" Aeris sighed, sitting back in her chair. Marlene smirked, sitting back in her chair.

"Elena certainly thought so."

"Mar!"

"What? What's going on?" Aeris demanded. Elena went red.

"Loads of people have a crush on him!"

"Not that many get drunk and pass out on him." Tseng said. Elena shrieked and attacked him. Leaving Aeris and Marlene in fits of giggles and Vincent looking amused.

"I can't believe you got to pass out on Rufus Shinra!" Aeris said through her laughter, "You are SO lucky!"

Vincent cleared his throat. Aeris looked at him and smiled.

"I still love you." She said.

"Good." He replied, putting an arm around her protectively.

Tifa looked at her watch.

"Urgh, we'd better go Cloud. We've got media production first thing tomorrow morning."

"And we've got music." Aeris told Yuffie. As they stood up to say goodbye, Elena turned to Aeris.

"Aeris, we're going to a studio tomorrow to work on some music. Do you wanna come?"

"Can I?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise. Ten thirty, here's the address."

"Oh, thanks so much!" Aeris said, grinning helplessly. Elena winked at her.

As they walked back to campus from the bus stop, Vincent, his arm around Aeris' waist, asked her quietly,

"Do you want to come back with me?" Aeris nodded. Over the few weeks they had been together (because it HAD only been about a month, although I seemed much more) many of her possessions had accumulated at Vincent's apartment, providing her with everything she needed. There had been one especially sweet moment when Vincent came home with the shopping having bought her, her own toothbrush for the apartment. They stopped a crossroads.

"See you tomorrow!" Aeris said to the others as they split up. She and Vincent walked back to the apartment. Aeris hummed 'Lucky'.

She really was lucky.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, guys! Especially Sarion, that made me feel good inside! I didn't notice that type with the him/her thing. Oopsie! But the practise/practice or realise/realize thing is because I'm from England and that's how I spell it here. Just to clear that up!